Handheld PCs are an excellent commodity to have in today’s day and age. While the Nintendo Switch is chock full of amazing titles like Tears of the Kingdom, there’s no shot that it would be able to run more graphically intensive games like Forza Horizon 5, Baldur’s Gate 3, or Starfield. Thankfully, thanks to the progress that the Steam Deck has made in the portable space, the ability to take these massive games on the go is a reality. But, if you’re hoping to push your new favorite AAA game to the limit, the Steam Deck may feel a little limited at times. What if we told you that there’s an even better way to game on the go?
Welcome to the AYANEO Kun, the newest portable gaming PC by the folks who brought us the AYANEO Air 1S. Taking more than a little inspiration from the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, this portable powerhouse features the same chipset as the Air 1S, which already provides plenty of power. What makes this exciting for folks like myself, however, is the 54W TDP boost, alongside a massive 195000mAh battery that could make battery fatigue a thing of the past for portable PCs.
If you’re anything like me, you always want to know what you’re in for before purchasing a product, and AYANEO was happy to provide me with plenty of technical specs for this new device. While I haven’t gotten the chance to go hands-on with this particular portable PC yet, the AIR 1S was rather impressive for what it offered in a smaller handheld. Having a larger-sized PC that also features trackpads like the Steam Deck, something the ROG Ally is sorely lacking, makes this much more appealing to me overall.
Alright, what’s the main kicker here, then? AYANEO products are a little on the premium side of pricing, but overall, the KUN isn’t too awful. It’s still more expensive than other competition on the market but offers a few defining factors to make that price worth it. A 1200P screen sounds divine, especially at 8.4 inches overall.
Starting at $999 if you’re lucky enough to snag one from their IndieGoGo campaign, the AYANEO Kun is an investment. If you’re looking for some of the best portable gaming around, it’s an easy sell, but with new competition coming onto the market, only time will tell if the Kun is kun-fident enough to become your primary mode of gaming.
